Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-11
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.

Mr.. Powers of Houlton, from the Judic-
iary Committee, reported, on petition, bill an
act to abolish Imprisonment for debt, except
in cases of fraud; printed under rule.
Also reported ought not to pass on bill an
act to prevent the sale of adulterated articles
of food, drink and medicine; read and &C.
cepted.
Mr.. Talbot of East Machias, from the
same committee, reported ought to pass on
bill an act to amend chap. 1874. public laws
of 1885 and sections 60 aud 81, chap 3, re-
vised statutes: printed under rule.
Also reported same on bill an act to amend
sec. 26, chap. 40, revised statutes, relating
to fish weirs printed under rule.
Mr.. Barker of Bangor, from same COM
mittee. reported ought to pass on bill an act
to enable banks whose charters have ex-
pred to discharge and assign mortgages and
debts standing in their names in certain
cases; printed under rule.
Mr.. Hersey of Harpswell, from the Com
mittee on Towns, reported that petition of
inhabitants of Woodville Plantation to be set
off from that plantation and annexed to the
town of Mattawamkeag, be referred to the
next legislature; read and accepted.
House document 224, bill an act comforting
upon trial justices concurrent jurisdiction
with the police court of the city of Belfast,
came up by special assignment, the pending
question being the acceptance of the report
of the cOmmittee-majority report petitioners
have leave to withdraw and minority report
ought to pass on bill.
Mr.. Loouey moved to substitute the minor
ity report for the majority.
Mr. Loonev addressed the House in favor
of his report, claiming that the bill was in
the interest of temperance.
Mr. Harrington of Norridgewock briefly
stated the reasons governing the majority of
the committee.
MIR. Wilson of Belfast opposed the minori-
ty report. He characterized the action of
the petitioners as being prompted by desire
to injure the Judge OF the police court in
Belfast who had always acted in the interest
of temperance.
MIR. Wright of Paris had no doubt of the
temperance principles of gentlemen of the
committee, but he thought this matter did
not particularly involve the enforcement of
the liquor law in Belfast. 1t was simply a
personal question between two local factions.
Mr.. Noble of Lewiston, wished to know
why the petitioners who asked for this legs-
lation did not proceed in the proper manner
and impeach this judge of the police court
of Belfast, for malfeasance in office.
Mr.. Allen of Alfred, referred to the fact
that these trial justices formerly had concur
rent jurisdiction with the police court He
stated that the judge considered the law gov
erning this matter, section 40, chapter 81,
unconstitutional, and therefor he refused to
issue warrants under it, unless the person
who spilled for it stated that he knew the IL
quors were at the place stated. He thought
this wrong.
Mr. Littefeld of Prospect, had many &C.
quaintances in Belfast on both sides of this
fight and in the opinion of the majority Of
the people Of that city, this police court stood
in the way of the enforcement of the liquor
law there. Certainly he knew, from going
there frequently, that rum flowed freely in
that city.
Mr.. Harrington thought some weight ought
to be given to the fact that this Judge issued
nearly 900 warrants. not one of which was
quashed. 1t showed the ability of men. He
did not see why this legislature should inter-
fere with this local political fight. The COM
mittee did not think there was a more high
minded and better temperance man in Bel
fast.
The motion to substitute the minority re-
port for that of the majority, was lost by a
vote of A to so.
Report of the majority was then accepted
On motion of Mr.. Horigan of Biddeford,
House document 2l1, bill an act relating to
the Boston & Maine Railroad, was taken from
the table.
Mr.. Horigan moved to indefinitely post
pone the bill
The motion was sustained by Messrs
Horgan, Pattsngall, Walton, Condor, Engel
Roberts of Brunswick and Looney, and ep-
posed by Messrs, Clark of Calais, Moore of
Deering, O'Brien of Thomaston, Neallsy of
Lewiston, Dow of Portland and Allen OF AL
fred.
The motion to indefinitely postpone the
bill was carried, by 40 to 80.
Mr.. Clark of Calais raised the point of
order that no quorum voted.
Mr.. Looney called for the yeas and nays
and the House ordered them.
Mr.. Rider of Springfield moved that the
matter lie on the table. Lost.
Motion to indefinitely postpone prevailed
by the following vote:
YEA-Messrs. Alden, Alexander, Aver, Barker,
Beal, Billings, Bishop, Bowker, Boynton, Bradish,
Bradley, Brown, Burns Carleton, Clark of Caribou,
Clark OF Saco, Cloutier. Condor. Doten, Eels.
Engel, Farrar. Ferguson, Floyd. Hall, Hamilton of